Who am I?

READINGS

The East and the West belong to God: wherever you turn, there is His Face. God is all pervading and all knowing. Quran 2:115

Jesus says, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is in your midst” Luke 17:20–21

Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty." Gospel of Thomas

"All a guru can tell you is: 'My dear Sir, you are quite mistaken about yourself. You are not the person you take yourself to be.'" Nisargadatta Maharaj

COMMENT

These quotes suggest that meditation should be directed towards discovering our true nature ... not as 'this' or 'that' but as one with the Divine - not as a separate ego-based self-identity.

The illusion of separation between the individual and the ultimate reality is false, there is only God - He owns all, controls all, and keeps things moving as God wills.

It is simply a matter of mis-identification. Taking ourselves to be what we are not.

The ultimate purpose of meditation is to see thru this illusion and to realize the true self.

THE PRACTICE

There are number of ways see though the illusion.

So, whatever arises in consciousness during the practice period, we notice it, and then remember the truth about ourselves Some examples on how one might do this:

• Yours not mine!
• Who is having this thought, feeling, or sensation?
• Ask "Who is noticing this?
• Who is seeking something right now?
• Who am I?
• Not me, not mine! Then whose?

Practice is key. If you think about your small self you will see yourself in the world. If you focus on the God/Allah you will come to see only God. He is One!

They are the ones who believe and whose hearts are assured thru the remembrance of God. Absolutely, thru the remembrance of God do the hearts find rest. [Quran]

May the Lord shower you with His mercy and bless your affairs with His guidance.